Friday, February 8, 2013

Bit by Bit - Chapter 8, Part 5

Trey Smith

If we must use curve and plumb line, compass and square to make something right, this means cutting away its inborn nature; if we must use cords and knots, glue and lacquer to make something firm, this means violating its natural Virtue. So the crouchings and bendings of rites and music, the smiles and beaming looks of benevolence and righteousness, which are intended to comfort the hearts of the world, in fact destroy their constant naturalness.
~ Burton Watson translation ~
There is nothing inherently wrong with using a tape measure when building a wall or a roof. You want to make sure everything fits together like it's supposed to.

But what if you hired a contractor who never used a tape measure and yet his/her sight measurements were ALWAYS true. Wouldn't you come to trust him/her implicitly?

To view the Index page for this series, go here.

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